Centrifugally-controlled coasting-indicating device for cars or trains.



W. A. & C. W. HALL.

CENTRIFUGALLY CONTROLLED COASTING INDICATING DEVICE FOR CARS 0R TRMNS. APPLICATION men MAR. 20, 1911.

1,165,592. Patented Dec. 28, 1915.

' W W. WMLM UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER A. HALL AND CHARLES W. HALL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNORS TO RAIL- WAY IMPROVEMENT COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

CENTRIFUGALLY-CONTROLLED COASTING-INDICATING DEVICE FOR CARS 0R TRAINS.

Application filed March 20, 1911.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, WALTER A. HALL and CHARLES W. HALL, citizens of the United States, residing in the city, county, and State of New York, have made a certain new and useful Invention in Centrifugally Controlled Coasting-Indicatin Devices for Cars or Trains, of which the ollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to devices and ap paratus for use in indicating the time consumed by a car or train while coasting or drifting, that is, the time consumed during the travel of the car or train after current has been cut off from the car or train propelling motor or motors and specifically to one form of such apparatus as shown in my co-pending application Serial No. 615,534, filed March 20, 1911.

The object of the invention is to provide a centrifugally operated control mechanism for controlling the coasting or drifting period indicatlng devices, which is simple in construction and eflicient in operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for controlling the coasting or drifting period indicating mechanism by centrifugal action developed by the travel of the car or train While coasting 0r drifting.

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists substantially in the construction, combination, location and relative arrangement of parts, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying drawing, and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing,Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing a centrifugally controlled coasting indicating device embodying the principles of our invention. Fig. 2 is a broKen detail view in plan of the centrifugally operated controlling devices. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing a slightly modified arrangement of centrifugally operated controlling device embodying the principles of our invention. Fig. 4 is a view showing a portion of indicating mechanism adapted for use in connection with our invention.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 28, 1915.

Serial No. 615,535.

The same part is designated by the same reference sign wherever it occurs throughout the several views.

In the practical operation of street or other cars, railway trains, or the like, the operating power is out off from the car or train propelling motor before such car or train reaches the point where it is to stop, and thereafter while the operating or propelling motor is cut off the car or train coasts or drifts without any other propelling power than its momentum. The time consumed during this coasting or drifting travel of the car or train after its propelling power has been cut off represents a saving of current or other power employed to operate the train or car. Indicating devices or mechanism for indicating the time consumed by acar or train during the coasting or drifting travel thereof have been devised. In the operation of such devices or mechanism it is important to provide means for setting the indicating mechanism in operation, only when the propelling power medium is shut off, and for arresting the recording mechanism when the car or train completes its coasting or drifting travel.

It is among the purposes of our present invention to provide centrifugally operated control devices for arresting the operation of the coasting or drifting period indicating mechanism, said centrifugally operated devices being actuated by the travel or movement of the car or train.

In carrying out our invention, we propose to employ means for controlling the operation of the indicating mechanism, which means are controlled so as to be set in operation coincidently with the shutting off of the car or train propelling power, and which are arrested when the propelling power is turned on, when the car or train brake mechanism is applied, and also when the coasting or drifting travel of the car or train has been completed. In respect to this last mentioned feature of our invention we propose to employ centrifugally operated devices which are actuated by the travel of the car or train, in such manner that as the momentum of the car or train after its propelling power has been shut off decreases to the point where the travel or movement of the car is insufficient to operate the centrifugal devices, the indicating mechanism is arrested automatically. This generally is the main purpose and object of our present invention. This object and purpose may be accomplished in many specifically different ways, and by many specifically different constructions and arrangements of centrifugally operated devices. therefore, we have shown, and will now describe, various forms of centrifugally operated devices adapted for the accomplishment of the objects and purposes of our invention we do not desire to be limited or restricted, to the specific details of construction or arrangement thereof, in the broadest scope of our invention as defined in the claims.

In the drawing reference sign l3, designates a portion of the coasting or drifting period indicating mechanism in connection with which our invention is employed. The

specific construction of indicating mechanism is not of material interest so far as our present invention is concerned, and therefore need not be specifically described or shown in detail herein.

A magnet C, is arranged to control the starting and stopping of the indicating mechanism. The circuit of this control magnet is arranged, in accordance with the principles of our invention, to be controlled, that is, to be opened or closed independently in three different ways. In the first place, the circuit of this magnet is arranged to be opened automatically whenever current is supplied to the car or train propelling motor. This is accomplished through the operation of a relay magnet D, arranged to be energized whenever current is supplied to the car or train propelling motor, and to remain energized as long as the current supply to the car or train propelling motor continues. Whenever, however, the current to the car propelling motor is shut off this relay magnet becomes deenergized, thereby again completing the circuit of the recording mechanism control magnet C, at the contact points controlled by the relay magnet. In the second place, other contacts arranged in the circuit of control magnet C, are arranged to be normally closed but to be separated whenever brake pressure is supplied to the car or train brake mechanism. This is accomplished by means of a plunger operating in a cylinder E, which is in communication with the car or air brake system. The third point of control of the circuit of control magnet C, is at the centrifugally operated mechanism, this mechanism being actuated by the travel of the car or train.

The current supplied to the relay magnet While,

I), may be furnished from any suitable or convenient source coincidently with the turning on or supply of current to the car propelling motor, through a circuit connection 12, thereto through the relay magnet coil D, and connection 13, to ground or other return 14:. In this connection may be arranged, if desired, suitable removable or adjustable protecting fuses or similar devices F. When the relay magnet D, is energized it operates to rock a bell crank lever pivotally mounted as at 19, and having one arm 36, thereof arranged to form a movable armature for said relay magnet. To the other arm 35, of said bell crank lever is connected a rocking arm 32, carrying a contact point 30, arranged to cooperate with a contact point 28, arranged in the circuit of magnet C. Under normal conditions,with the circuit of relay magnet D, broken contacts 30 and 28, are closed upon each other. When the circuit of relay magnet D is co1npleted the arm is rocked and the contacts 30, 28, are separated. r second bell crank or movable lever 31', is connected to a pivoted lever 39, by means of a link 38, said lever 39, being arranged in the path of a rod l-O, connected to a piston 26, operating in cylinder E. Carried by lever or bell crank 37, is an arm 33, carrying a contact 31, arranged to coiiperate with a contact point 29, in the circuit of control magnet C. Under normal conditions contacts 31, 29, are closed upon each other. lVhen, how ever, pressure medium is supplied to the air brake system for application of the car or train brake mechanism the bell crank 37 is rocked and the contacts 31, 29, thereby separated. The circuit of control magnet C, may be supplied with current from any suitable or convenient source, from the trolley, the car propelling motor, when o erating as a'generator, or otherwise, as may be convenient. e have shown the terminals of this circuit as being indicated at a, and 51, respectively. From one terminal (4, thereof the circuit is traced through connection 41, any suitable or convenient circuit protecting fuse or device 42, wire 43, magnet C, wire 4%, contact 28, contact 30, arm 32, connection 3-1:, arm 33, contact 31, the centrifugal controlling mechanism to ground or other return connection 50 to the other terminal 51.

The centrifugal mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and 2,comprises a pair of rings 4.6,

an, insulated from each other and suitably mounted within a casing 17, but insulated therefrom and in concentric relation with respect to a shaft 18, which may be a car axle or a propelling motor shaft or other revolving shaft having revolution during the travel of the car or train. Mounted upon but insulated from shaft 418, to revolve contact 29, wire -15, to and throughtherewith are arms 52, 53, carrying contact weights 54, at their free end. The arrangement is such that when shaft &8 is revolved the arms 53, swing outwardly by centrifugal action thereby causing the contact weights 5i, to engage the rings 46, 49, to bridge the space therebetween, thereby com-- pleting the circuit of the control magnet G, between said rings.

In Fig. 3 we have shown a modified arrangement wherein we dispense with one of the rings 4:6, 49, employing only one ring 60, concentric with shaft l8, and to which the circuit connection 45, of the control magnet C, is connected. In this case an arm 61 is pivotally connected directly to the shaft 48, and carries a contact 62, designed under centrifugal action to fly out and make contact with ring (30, thereby completing circuit from said ring to ground through the axle 48, or to return through connection 50, to the terminal 51.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that we provide a simple arrangement of centrifugally operated devices actuated by the travel or movement of the car or train for controlling separable contacts in the circuit of the magnet which controls the coasting or drifting period indicating mechanism, whereby, after the propelling power for the car or train, is shut off the indicating mechanism is put in operation and continues to operate only so long as the momentum or travel of the car or train while coasting or drifting is sufficient to generate centrifugal action, and when the coasting or drifting travel of the train or car is completed the circuit of the control magnet of the indicating mechanism is open and the action thereof arrested.

Having now set forth the object and nature of our invention and various forms of practical embodiment thereof, what we claim as new and useful and of our own invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is,

1. In an electrically operated indicating apparatus for vehicles, for indicating the coasting or drifting period of the vehicle, electrically operated indicating mechanism, a circuit therefor, centrifugally operated means for closing the circuit of said indicating mechanism, said means being actuated by the vehicle when. the vehicle is in motion.

2. In a coasting indicating apparatus for indicating the coasting or drifting travel of vehicles, an indicating mechanism, means for arresting the operation of said mechanism, and a centrifugally operated device actuated by the vehicle when the vehicle is in motion for controlling said arresting means.

In a coasting indicating apparatus for indicating the coasting or drifting travel of vehicles, an indicating mechanism, an electrical device for controlling the same, a circuit therefor and a centrifugally operated device actuated by the vehicle when the vehicle is in motion for closing said circuit, an electrical device for opening said circuit when the vehicle propelling power is turned In acoasting indicating apparatus for indicating the coasting or drifting travel of vehicles, an indicating mechanism, an electrical device for controlling the same, a circuit therefor, a contact ring arranged in said circuit, a contact cooperating therewith, a centrifugally operated arm actuated by the vehicle when the vehicle is in motion for supporting said last mentioned contact and actuating the same to close said circuit, an electrical. device for opening said circuit when the vehicle propelling power is turned on.

In a coasting indicating apparatus for indicating the coasting or drifting travel of vehicles, an indicating mechanism, an electrical device for controlling the same, a circuit therefor, a contact ring arranged in said circuit, a shaft adapted to be rotated by the "ehicle when the vehicle is in moti on, and a contact centrifugally operated by said shaft and cooperating with said contact ring to open and close said circuit and means to maintain said circuit open while the vehicle propelling power is turned on.

(i. In a coasting indicating apparatus for indicating the coasting or drifting travel of vehicles, an indicating mechanism, an electrical device for controlling the same, a circuit therefor, separable contacts arranged in said circuit, said contacts being normally closed upon each other, means for separating said contacts when current is supplied to the vehicle propelling motor, and centrifugally controlled contacts also arranged in said circuit, said centrifugally controlled contacts being actuated by the vehicle when the vehicle is in motion.

7. In a coasting indicating apparatus for indicating the coasting or drifting travel of vehicles, an indicating mechanism, an electrical device for controlling the same, a circuit therefor, separable contacts arranged in said circuit and operating to normally contact with each other, means for separating said contacts coincidently with the application of brake pressure to brake the vehicle and centrifugally controlled contacts also arranged in. said circuit, said centrifugally controlled contacts being actuated by the vehicle when the vehicle is in motion.

8. In a coasting indicating apparatus for indicating the coasting or drifting travel of vehicles, an indicating mechanism, an electrical device for controlling the same, a circuit therefor, brake pressure operated means for controlling said circuit. means controlled by the current supply to the vehicle scribing itnesses, on this 23rd day of Febpropellingmotor for controlling said cirrua -y A. D., 1911. cuit,'1and centrifugally operateddevices 210- V WALTER A. HALL.

tnaltediby the vehicle When the vehicle is in CHARLES W. HALL. i5 motion for controlling:saidroircuit. lVitnesse's:

In testimony whereof We have hereunto MARION V. PERHAM, set our hands. in the presence of the sub- JOSEPH T. MITCHELL.

Copies! this patent may .be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the, Commissioner of Patents Washington, ID. 08* 

